Clare Vaughan, originally from Abermorddu between Wrexham and Mold , is bringing the language to the former colony, and there is growing demand because of the number of ex-pats taking jobs with the British Council in South America.

She joined the British Council - which has been fostering cultural relations since 1934 and now works in 100 countries - ten years ago and joined project in the former Patagonian colony, now called Chubut.

She said: “The report on the Welsh Language Project in Chubut shows that this year more people have had the possibility of studying the language than ever.

“Well over 1,000 pupils of all ages took advantage of the classes taught by three full-time tutors from Wales.”

Local part-time tutors and even Patagonian state-run schools teachers also give Welsh lessons.

Enthusiasts in Trevelin in the Andes are trying to set up the third Welsh-Spanish primary school - Ysgol y Cwm (www.ysgolycwm.com) There are already two other schools in the west of the province of Chubut.

Clare said: “It is a very surreal experience teaching Welsh to people who look Welsh but have in many cases never visited the country and there is something very musical about the Spanish Welsh accent!”

Clare first came to the British Council after stumbling across an advert for a Welsh language teacher with the question ‘Chwilio am her newydd?’ – looking for a new challenge!’

Clare, now living in Trevelin, started off on a ten-month project then became a co-ordinator, managing links between Wales and Chubut and helping 33 local tutors who have learned or improved their Welsh on the project.

She said: “I am always moved by the dedication of these tutors and the communities in general to the preservation of language and culture so far away from its ‘home’.

“There are practically no material benefits to learning the language or upholding the traditions. But it is a labour of love, a pride in one’s heritage.”

People ask her if Patagonia reminds her of Wales, says Clare, now living in Trevelin in the Andes.

She said: “There is something in the greenness in spring and the lakes and rivers but the mountains here are over twice the height of Snowdon and the population density is 250 times less than in Wales so there is much more open space!”

She added: “Culturally, I have a very rich life here. I compete in Eisteddfodau and welcome artists from Wales (especially this year of the 150th anniversary celebrations.”

Clare also sings in a madrigal group, plays violin and is learning the harp.

As Clare says: “The community welcomed me with open arms. Argentinians are very warm people and even more so when they find out you are from Wales – and I had already fallen in love with the place before I fell in love with the person who is now my husband!”

But it does have a downside.

“When I am in Wales I miss the open spaces, my horses, my new friends. When in Patagonia I miss my family, my old friends, how close everywhere is and of course a good cup of tea!

“The winter can be long though although the low temperatures dropping to 10 below zero sometimes are not the worst thing; that’s the very strong wind,”

“I often wonder what the first settlers would say if they could see the work going on today here to keep their dream alive – I hope they would be applauding loudly!”

But it’s an ongoing battle to preserve the Welsh language - even in Wales.

Earlier this month, a national campaign has been launched to save S4C as the Welsh language broadcaster faces major budget cuts.

The campaign #loveS4C is being spearheaded by pressure group Alliance of Welsh Communities in Caernarfon, formed after the UK Government announced a 26% cut in its grant to the Welsh language channel despite a manifesto promise to protect its budget.